According to data from the Italian National Union of Foreign Motor Vehicle Representatives (Unrae), registrations grew by 4.7% in July compared to the same month last year, reaching 124,806 new units registered.
So far in 2024, registrations in the country have reached 1.01 million units, representing a 5.2% growth compared to the same period last year, although still 18.9% below the first seven months of 2019.
Unrae points out that the current economic scenario, characterised by an expected slowdown in household consumption in the second half of 2024, leads to a slight downward revision of its estimates for the entire year, despite a trend in car registrations in recent months in line with expectations.
Thus, by the end of 2024, Unrae forecasts 1.62 million cars registered, a 3.4% increase year-on-year, but still 15% below the figures recorded in 2019.
The association indicates that after the acceleration in June, when battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 8.3% of the total market, a significant contraction was experienced in July, with a return to a stagnated share of 3.4%.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), although slightly recovering compared to the previous month, settled at a 3.9% share.
Overall, Unrae highlights that electrified cars represent only 7.3% of the market.
According to the Italian association, these results are “clear evidence that the current incentives, as they are set up, are absolutely insufficient to support strategic and long-term growth towards the transition.”
Unrae asserts that during negotiations at the “Automotive Table” convened by the Ministry of Enterprises and “Made in Italy” (Mimit), it reiterates the need for incentives to drive demand and support the path towards the energy transition.
“We have clear ideas and are ready to engage constructively with Mimit,” says Unrae President Michele Crisci.
“We need clarity and stability to allow manufacturers to plan their investments and consumers to make their purchasing decisions,” he adds.
Crisci notes that “given the evident insufficiency of the allocation for the 0-20 g/Km range, we first expect the Government to quickly make available the 240 million euros in residual funds already allocated for incentives. Additionally, we request the recovery of the 250 million euros allocated for 2025 and collected to date by the Cohesion Decree.”
Which were the most popular brands and models?
The best-selling brand in July in Italy remains Fiat, with 10,226 units registered, a 28.7% decrease compared to the same month in 2023.
The second place on the podium went to Toyota, with 9,794 units, followed by Dacia in third place, with 9,686 units.
On the other hand, the most popular model in the Italian market in July 2024 was the Fiat Panda, with 7,337 units registered.
It was followed by the Dacia Sandero, with 5,925 vehicles registered, and the Renault Clio, with 3,731 cars.
In the first seven months of the year, the Fiat Panda also maintained its lead with 71,383 units registered, ahead of the Dacia Sandero with 39,745 and the Citroën C3 with 28,760 cars.
